Windsor police to launch drone unit this September
Windsor police are planning to launch an unmanned aerial system (UAS) unit this fall, CBC News has learned.
According to documents obtained through a municipal freedom of information request, Windsor police have already acquired a drone, as well as conducted flight training for a six-person team that will comprise the unit.
The UAS unit is intended to be a support unit, and the service's drone would be used in "locations that citizens would not have an expectation of privacy, such as public areas."
The drone would likely be used at crime scenes and firearms/weapons calls, as well as for traffic reconstruction, the search and rescue of missing and wanted persons and natural or manmade disasters or accidents.
"In these incidents, the police are responding to an emergency and are clearly visible to the public," wrote Staff Sgt. Sue Garrett, in a letter to CBC News.
Drone supplied by Aeryon Labs
Windsor police acquired a drone from Waterloo-based Aeryon Labs on Jan. 19, 2019, and conducted Aeryon-guided training between April 16 and April 18, 2019.
The training package was included in the cost of purchasing the Aeryon Labs device. The company provided Windsor police with a technical support specialist in unmanned systems and integrated solutions for training.
Garrett wrote that training was conducted at the Major F.A. Tilston Armoury Police and Military Training Centre at 4007 Sandwich Street.
"The training including a theory component and practical component," wrote Garrett.
"The practical component was the first time the unit has operated our UAS. Everyone selected for the unit successfully completed the course."
It's worth noting that Windsor police didn't specify the drone model acquired from Aeryon Labs, though Garrett said that there are "14 police services in Ontario that currently deploy the same UAS purchased by [Windsor police]."
Ontario Provincial Police, Peel Regional Police and Waterloo Regional Police all own drones purchased from Aeryon Labs.
Windsor police also failed to disclose the cost of their Aeryon Labs drone.
Unit in development since at least Jan. 2019
Documents show that Windsor police had been discussing the UAS unit since at least January 2019.
An initial list of candidates was finalized on Feb. 20, 2019.
Garrett wrote that all members of the UAS unit passed Transport Canada's online advanced operations certificate course for drone operators on March 20, 2019.
"All members of the unit have also reviewed the Canadian Aviation Regulation," she wrote.
Garrett explained that once pilots have passed both exams, they can apply for a Transport Canada Special Flight Operator Certificate — a certificate required for pilots who want to fly drones under circumstances outside of Transport Canada's rules for basic or advanced operations.
Garrett added that the UAS unit's team leader met with Windsor International Airport's controller on April 26, 2019.
"This is a result of our close proximity to the Windsor International Airport during possible deployment," she wrote.
"The team will work with the Windsor International Airport to ensure the safety of our community."
